Owner of emaciated dog rescued near Port Hardy banned from keeping animals for 10 years

July 31, 2014

Rupert Wilson, the owner of a two-year-old shepherd-cross dog who was found emaciated and near death near Port Hardy last November, has received a 10-year prohibition on owning animals.

Wilson, who was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada following a BC SPCA investigation, was also given a three-month jail term (conditional sentence order), one year probation and is required to perform 100 hours of community service.

On Nov. 25, 2013, the RCMP in Port Hardy was called out after a Good Samaritan noticed an extremely emaciated dog lying on a porch in freezing temperatures.

“Molly was in critical condition, non-responsive and shivering, with a collar deeply embedded in the raw skin of her neck,” says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA. “The constable immediately rushed Molly to a nearby veterinary hospital, where staff provided emergency treatment to keep her alive and removed the embedded collar from her neck.”

Once stabilized, she was transported to Nanaimo where the case was turned over to the BC SPCA.

Molly received months of life-saving medical treatment in the care of the SPCA and was adopted in April.

Chortyk says it is impossible to comprehend how anyone could allow a dog to slowly, and excruciatingly, starve to death. “It is truly a miracle that Molly survived and we are very pleased that she is now healthy and happy in her new, loving home and that Mr. Wilson has been sentenced for his actions.”

Charges of animal cruelty have been approved against the owners of an 18-month-old shepherd-cross dog named Molly, who was found emaciated and near death near Port Hardy on Nov. 25. Rupert Wilson and Crystal Bee of the Fort Rupert Reserve face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada following a BC SPCA investigation.

The RCMP in Port Hardy was called out on Nov. 25 in response to a complaint of animal cruelty. They discovered the extremely emaciated dog outside on her owner’s porch. “She was in critical condition, non-responsive and shivering, with a collar deeply embedded in her neck,” says Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer.

“The constable immediately rushed Molly to a nearby veterinary hospital, where staff provided emergency treatment to keep her alive and removed the embedded collar from her neck.” Once stabilized, she was transported to Nanaimo where the case was turned over to the BC SPCA for ongoing investigation.

Photo captions: (above) Molly in Nov. 2013, (below) Molly Jan. 2014

Molly received life-saving medical treatment and has been recovering since November in an SPCA foster home, where her condition and nutritional needs have been closely monitored.

“We are keeping her at the foster home so that she can have continuity of care. She is still too thin, but she is recovering and her weight has increased from 12.2 kilograms to 18.8 kilograms,” says Moriarty. “Once she is strong enough for a transition we do have a permanent home waiting for her.”

Moriarty says it is impossible to comprehend how anyone could allow a dog to slowly, and excruciatingly, starve to death. “We rescue thousands of animals from heartbreaking situations every year at the SPCA, but cases like this are particularly shocking,” she says. “The fact that Molly has survived is a true miracle and we are so grateful to the RCMP, the veterinary staff in Port Hardy and Nanaimo, SPCA donors who have supported her care and all those who have played a role in her rescue and recovery.”

The BC SPCA depends on community donations to fund its cruelty investigations work. To find out how you can make a difference for animals in need, visit spca.bc.ca.

Molly, a Shepherd cross found near death, is happy and recovering in a foster home after being rescued from a horrifying cruelty situation near Port Hardy.

Although she was found extremely emaciated, outside, in a deplorable state of neglect, Molly is making a good recovery in the loving care of a foster home.

A gentle soul, Molly is still thin but eating well and gaining weight in her warm, new home, where her personality shines brighter each day.

The BC SPCA cruelty investigations team has forwarded recommended charges to Crown Counsel.

Original story published Dec. 12, 2013
Horrifically emaciated dog, found near death, now safe in SPCA care

An 18-month-old Shepherd-cross dog named Molly is alive against all odds after being rescued in one of the most horrific cruelty cases ever witnessed by the BC SPCA.

The RCMP in Port Hardy was called out on Nov. 25 in response to a complaint of animal cruelty. They discovered the extremely emaciated dog outside on her owner’s porch. “She was in critical condition, non-responsive and shivering, with a collar deeply embedded in her neck,” says Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer. “The constable immediately rushed Molly to a nearby veterinary hospital, where staff provided emergency treatment to keep her alive and removed the embedded collar from her neck.”

Once stabilized, she was transported to Nanaimo where the case was turned over to the BC SPCA for ongoing investigation. After receiving additional life-saving medical treatment, Molly has been placed in the care of an SPCA foster home as she recovers.

“She has gained some weight and is now able to walk, but she is still extremely emaciated,” says Moriarty. “She is getting care around the clock and we are very hopeful that, despite the incredible odds against her, she will make a full recovery.”

Moriarty says it is impossible to comprehend how anyone could allow a dog to slowly, and excruciatingly, starve to death. “We rescue thousands of animals from heartbreaking situations every year at the SPCA, but cases like this are particularly shocking,” she says. “The fact that Molly has survived is a true miracle and we are so grateful to the RCMP, the veterinary staff in Port Hardy and Nanaimo and all those who have played a role in her rescue and recovery.”

Molly has a long recovery process ahead and is expected to stay in foster care for several weeks before being placed in a new home. The BC SPCA is continuing its investigation and will be recommending charges of animal cruelty against Molly’s former owners.

The BC SPCA depends on community donations to fund its cruelty investigations work. To find out how you can make a difference for animals in need, visit spca.bc.ca/donate.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a not-for-profit organization reliant on public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C.